Panther women’s hoops boasted some of the best talent in the mountains this year.
Following the winter campaign, in which Franklin posted their fifth straight winning season and fifth straight trip to the state playoffs, Mountain Seven Conference coaches met for their annual postseason meeting to discuss conference business and nominate an All-Conference team. There four Panthers were named as All-M7C honorees, including Conference Defensive Player of the Year Cali Queen. The Press will recount the seasons of these four Panthers below, listed in alphabetical order.
Aubrey Haley
A junior small forward/guard earning her first All-Conference selection, Aubrey Haley was the kind of player that helps fuel successful programs this year. While other players stole the spotlight, Haley did the consistent, unheralded work that made the operation go, finishing near the top of Franklin’s roster in several statistical categories.
As one of just three Panthers to appear in 24 games, the junior was one of Franklin’s most consistent threats, finishing fourth team-wide with both 133 total points and 5.5 points per game. When hot Haley was one of her team’s most dangerous shooters, finishing third in both 3-pointers made (13) and 3-point percentage (25%). She also finished third on the team in both assists (28) and assists per game (1.2).
While certainly one of the team’s best sharpshooters, Haley did perhaps her best work on the defensive boards, finishing second in both defensive rebounds (71) and defensive rebounds per game (2.2). She also added 11 steals, a block and 16 deflections.
“Aubrey was deadly for us. She did the little things to help our team defensively, with her rebounding and stepping up to hit big shots when we needed them,” said head coach Scott Hartbarger of the rising senior. “She was kind of like a steady force for us playing solid, playing good defense, rebounding the ball and just doing really good things for us.”
Avery Moffitt
Earning First-Team selections the past two years and an Honorable Mention as a sophomore, Avery Moffitt will be a difficult player to replace next season. Franklin’s physical enforcer and frontcourt safety net, Moffitt excelled playing through tough contact inside, often battling multiple defenders on offense and absorbing stray elbows and shoulders on defense.
While the center/forward was always one of Franklin’s toughest and most intense players, over time she also grew into one of its best scorers, finishing second on the team and fifth conference-wide in both total points (281) and points per game (11.7). Her 48% field goal percentage was nearly 10 points better than any other Panther’s.
When shots didn’t find the net, Moffitt was Franklin’s designated board-crasher, leading the team far and away in both total rebounds (144) and rebounds per game (six). Despite her physical play inside, Moffitt was also one of the most durable Panthers, appearing in 24 games and adding 26 steals, five blocks and 28 deflections on defense.
“What a tremendous year she had as a senior. She plays the game the right way – she plays hard, she’s intense, and all those things you can say about a player [apply],” said Hartbarger. “She did it in practice, she did it in the game, and she left nothing on the floor. She put her heart and soul into every game.”
Audrey Pressley
A freshman point guard that played like a seasoned veteran from day one, Audrey Pressley burst onto the scene for Franklin this year. With prototypical length, athleticism and a readymade varsity skillset, Pressley should be a thorn in the Mountain Seven’s sides for years to come.
One of the fastest sprinters on Franklin’s state runner-up track and field team, Pressley excelled at pushing the ball upcourt in transition, often threatening opponents before their half-court defense was set. Upon arrival the guard was equally adept at distributing as well as scoring, finishing second on the team in assists (34) and third in points (227). She finished first among all Panthers in 3-point percentage at 32%, and fourth in total 3-pointers made with 11.
On defense Pressley used her length to harass opposing ball handlers, finishing second on the team in steals (40) and third in both blocks (12) and deflections (26). Her 62 rebounds were also an impressive total for a point guard.
“Amazing job this year. She scored [almost] 250 points, and it’s been a while since we’ve had a freshman score that much,” said Hartbarger, now entering his 16th year as Panther head coach. “Defensively, to have her and Cali out there at the same time is tough for the opponent, and she stepped right into that role and took it on. … Most of the time when we went [man-to-man] she would guard one of their better players, along with trying to navigate her way through what was going on. But I think she settled down, she had a great freshman year, and we expect great things from her for the next three years.”
Cali Queen
Earning All-Conference honors in each of her first three years, Cali Queen has grown into Franklin’s unquestioned leader on both ends of the floor. As this year’s Mountain Seven Defensive Player of the Year, the junior’s career trajectory serves as an excellent model for Pressley.
One of the conference’s savviest defenders, Queen often read opposing guards like a book, regularly intercepting passes and racing upcourt for transition baskets. The point guard joined Pressley to form one of the conference’s best defensive backcourts, finishing first on the team in steals with 52. Her 80 deflections were 52 more than any other Panther, while her 17 blocks were first among non-centers.
On the other end Queen was equally impactful, directing traffic as Franklin’s floor general and offensive catalyst. The junior finished first on the team and fourth conference-wide in total points (291), points per game (13.2) and assists, while her 27 3-pointers also ranked first among Panthers. She also earned All-District 12 Third-Team honors from the N.C. Basketball Coaches’ Association.
“Cali had a really good year, and obviously she was really good defensively as the Defensive Player of the Year,” said Hartbarger. “She’s been our point guard for the last three years and done a really good job, and has gotten better at learning the offense in those three years. Very good player, plays hard, and we expect great things from her for her senior year.”